Garment-shaping machine



Junel 3 1924. 1,496;05

A TTORNE Y 4June 3 19.24.

W. M. CHACE GARNI-:NT SHAPING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Shee'll 2 Filed May lo 1920 BYn A TTORNE Y June 3 1924.

June 3 1924.

w. M. cHAcE GARMENT SHAPING MACHINE Filed May l0 1920 6 ShebS-Sheet 4 June 3 1,924.

W. M. CHACE GARMENT SHAPING MACHINE l Filed May l0 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 54 A TTORNE Y June '3, 1924. 1,496,050

W. M. CHACE GARMENT SHAPING `MACHINE Filed May 1o 19.9.0 s sheets-sheet e A TTORNE Y Y the saine tautly subsequent. to plaeingfthe.

Patented June 3, 1924.

,WILLIAiyLti/r. @Hacia` on DET-noir, EMrCruciani.

eARMENT-SHAPING MACHINE.

Appleation-ledMay 1 0, 1920. Serial No. 3805142.

Tonll.L whom it mag/ .cyoncern:

Beit known WILLIAM M. Grignon, Y a citizen of vthe United States, residing at.

' Detroit, county of `Vayne,y State of Michi'-y gan, have invented a certain new. and'useful Improvement in v(Siar .r nent.-S l 1aping ehines, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same,

such as will enable others. skilled in the artto which -it pertains f to`- make and use-the saine, reference being vhad lto the accompany.- ing drawings, which` forni. ay partfof this specification.

YVThishinvention relates tor garment iron,- ing; devices, and anobject thereofis-to provide a device having a. form Aon Whichthe garment may be stretched7 the fornrbeing adaptedto `be `heated by'any approved Ineans andthe garinentbeing placed'thereon While damp and dried While .stretched on fthe A further object of the."i'nvlentor'l* is Vto provide a forrnhaving hinged .partsfo'rin.

adapted to Vbe foldedzin. af manner .tO' Petri' mit thevready introduction of thegarmentonto theforno and thenturned ina manner to stretch theV garment tightly .overrtheforin to hold the cloth .in an .unvvrinkled condition While being. dried by the heat of. the forni.. An additional feature of. theinvention. is. involved .in the means for, .tirni-lyrholding the free edges of the garinentand. to.streteh gai-nient on` the `forni` thereby holding the free edges. tirlnly in. position against-.the forni .and preventing Aa Wrinkling4 ofqthe garment yalong tlie'said edges. Other fea? tures ot the invention are involved inthe specific nieans of automatically-fholdingthe garment. Vsleeves of various sizestaut on the sleeve portionot the forni (and, inthe particular construction of the means forgrasp? ingthe free edges of the garment and in theV means and manner` of. hingingl the tvvoportions ot the forni and introducing .of the steam thereinto to heat. the forni. These and other objects andthe novel `features.of the invention are hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed and the preterred'torna Of @Oestruien 0i.. e sarmentwnng device .myj invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawingsin Which,-

garment monies. malhifne Fig.l 2*.,is a trontlelevationv thereof. Fig. isv plan.` .viewL thereof,

Fig. lis a side elevation of Iny-ilnproved.y

Fgi 4 is asimilar view showin@ bv dot-r Y tedQlines thel inanner iii/Which the entire forininayfbe'r'sivung upon a centralV support.

section..taken .atta-5 of Fig. 1,through=,the hingedpart of the forrn show-v ing inplanvievvthe releasable. device for holdingE the tvvo parts. in fiixed. relationship. Figg 6 is an. .edgelelevationfsot the Vreleasdevice shovvnin/Fig-5. Y Eigiqf7vis sectioifrtakenl on line 7-7 of 4Fig. 1Q shovving` thefsteaifn channels leadingc into .the :tivo ".partsfof- Athe forni. n

Fig., Sis a lvievvlof .theV means einployed to engage and stretehthe'ffree edges Otlieearmentf Ffa 9-iSfa1'elevat0-h therebf- 1 Eifgjpl'disa .seetioir throughthe supportstandaid sternltakenonv line-jlO-IO ot: Figi; I, .showing a thel stearn channels. f y i .Thei-devieejfas-here shownconsists of; a

baseA nien er, '1. piefenably vprovided. -vvith legs as ,.slioivn` .having .ag vertical central. hol.-

low. portion 2 A.i1i. "n/liieh positioned..ther i stein 70 oizfthef standard: 7.. The. .stein' .70 is;.provided With a'lsteanrinlet atthe lower end to Awhich the. .inlet pipe .3 is attached v andan mitlet` pipe `@attached to the said end.atoneside'ioffthe inlet.- `Boththe. inlet Y and. the .oiitlet pipesare provided with. valvesas (shown and. condensation may be draWirotjt-hrongh thefiiipe 4. VThis .up

right pontion is provided With [a shoulder tlielreduedf portionor stem 70. This steni and. standardy 7 is r.attachedto thehollow` half-.forni hereinafter described. Fo1i1ie-'cl-i11tegial with this portion7. is the hollow portion 9 providing amconjduit .for stearnleading' intothe half-forni 8, asishown in Fig. 1Q. .Extendingoutwardly and'up- Wardly ,from the'portion 7 is, an integral snpponting athrfust bearing 6 encircling i hollow member 10, the interior of which is open to the interior of the member 7 providing a steam channel. The upper end of the upright portion of the part 10 has ahinge member 11 hollow in form rotatably mounted thereon. This member 11, as shown particularly in Fig. 7 and Fig. l0, is attached to the neck end of the half-form 12 corresponding to the half-form 8 before mentioned. The upper end of the part 8 has attached thereto an upwardly and outwardly bent hinge member 13 and the part 12 has complemental hinge member 14 attached thereto, the two parts 13 and 14 turning on a pivot, the-axis of which is vertically in alignment with the axis of the portion 10V at the lower end of the forms. The two sets of hinge members together support the'hinged half 12 on the relatively stationary half 8 of the form.

The two half-forms are hollow shells, the outer'faces of the two forms corresponding in shape to that of the garment to be stretched thereon each being provided with a hollow arm portion 15 over which the arm of a garment may be stretched. The interior of these arm portions are. open to the hollow interior of the respectivel half of the form and the forms, as shown in plan view in Fig. 3 consist of spaced outer and inner walls 16 and 17 providing a steam space therebe tween. .It is also to be observed that these half forms are positioned with the neck end at the bottom so that the skirt of the garment comes about the upper end ofthe 'form and the neckv portion about the lower end of the form. Y A

It is preferable to hold the forms in relatively fixed positiony and. for this purpose I' have provided in the interior of the hinged form 12 a toothed segment 19 and on the half-form 8 I have provided an arm having at its outer end a bearing or support for an upright shaft 21 on the upper end of which is a hub 22 having formed .thereon a pawl 23 adapted to engage the notches of the segment19.` Attached to the hub is a springretractedarm 24 .having attached near the outer end thereof an operating lever 25 by means of which the pawl may be withdrawn from the segment releasing the movable half of the Vormpermitting the sameto be rela* tively turned as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5. When in this position, the garment, as for instance a barbers or surgeons coat,

` can .be introduced thereonto and then the movable form swung back to normal position stretching the coat on the Aforms particularly on the back thereof. When the pawl 23 engages a notch of the segment 19, the two parts are held in a ixed'relationship. The free edges of the coat extending toward the forward edges of each part of the form are next stretched into positionV and held tightly against the vsides of the form. For this purpose I have provided on each of the outer free edges of each half of block 33 which block 33 is pivotally supported on a bracket 34 in each case mounted on the respective edge of the form. AY Spring 35 is positioned on each rod 31 and engaging against the' slidable block 30 forcing the same against a collar 36 secured to the rod. The upper eccentric pin 28 in each instance is of sufficient length to receive a vertical handle member 37. There is also provided a horizontal handle member 38 on the vertical block 29 through which the rod or pin 28 extends and a set screw 40 is Vprovided for securingV the said handle 38 to the pin.

The normal position of this roller and corelated parts is shown in full lines in Fig. 8,

the rods 31 supporting the handle being pivotedfto the blocks 32 permitting the rokller' to be turned to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 8. Considering now that the lgarment has'been placed on the two forms and the forms brought to the normal closed position indicated in Fig. 5 the operator may turn the roller member by means of the vhandle 37 for instance on the brackets 34 swinging the same to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8. Thereupon by use of the horizontal handle 38 the roller isrotated in the supporting brackets 29 and by reason of the eccentric relationship of the rollerpin these brackets, the roller is brought to engagement with the free edges of the garment lying on the respective part of the form causing the roller to bind against the otally supported a weighted pawl 42 adapt-4 ed to engage the notches of the segment 41 and, as will be` understood from Fig. 9, the

notches ofthe segment are inclined in one direction permitting .the segment to be turned under the pawl in that direction of movement when being brought into engagement with the garment on the form. en brought to such position, as is shown by llt) -lll

tudinal spring member 43 supported at the.

upper tree end of the sleeve to extend ,outwardly from the said portion shown in Fig. 1. Each sleeve portion is grooved longitudinally to permit the spring member 4:3 to lie therewithin but with' sleeves that are. some-.

what 'larger than the form 15 this spring member tends to withdraw from the groove and to pull the sleeve portion taut.

It will thus be noted that by hinging the two portions of the Vform forthe garment that garments of various sizes may be readily stretched in place. Those of less distance across the back between the points ot connection of the sleeve with the garment will not permit the forms to be turned fully back to the position shown in Fig. 5 but the two forms may be-locked together at any point by use of the notched segment 19. Then, by use of vthe eccentrically pivoted roller members the edge of the garment may be grasped and-pulled across the form. The apparatus is thus adapted for use with garments of various sizes as garments of any usual size may be stretched tautly thereon.

When a garmenthas thus been stretched tautly thereon (and it is to be understoodV that the garment has been placed on Jforms while damp) the heatof the form through application of steam dries the garment while stretched and much of the labor ordinarily required in the usual methodof ironing. a garment is dispensed with. 'For convenience of the operator in positioning a garment onV the form, both the forms which are hinged together may be locked in relative position. and, whilefso locked, the-entire form may be turned upon the vertical axis provided by the stem 70. This turning of the forms is suggested in Fig. 4L which shows the form in full lines, the operators position being normally on the side of the figure at the bottom. The dotted lines b-b .show the locked form turned with the back toward the operator and the dotted lines a-a indicate the locked forms turned with the sideot the lgarment toward the operator. These forms when so locked together may be also locked from turning as above described by means ot a geared orI notched wheel member 50 formed or secured to the lower end of the portion 7. On the portion 5 of the, base is provided a bracket 51 on which is pivotally supported a pawll 52 having an end normally engaging a notch ofthe 'member 50. To this Vpawl is pivotally connecteda rod 53 which is pivoted to the end of a foot operating lever 54. 'A spring 55 is utilized tending to normally hold the pawl 52 in engagement with a notch of the member 50. 4Bydepressing the end of the foot lever 54 the pawl is released and the two: 'forms may be swung upon the vertical standard. Y y

F or convenience I preferably employ a relief valve in the upper end of each of the half forms similar to that used with steam radiators and permitting esca-pe of air from the forms upon an introduction of steam thereinto. Y

It is evident that steam may be introduced into theV Vforms in various ways. Preferably, however, I employ the central standard as shown. In any case the essential characteristie of the invention is. involved in the hinging ofthe 'two parts of the form together; in lthe provision ot a locking means andy means for stretching the garment on the. forms; and the provision of means permitting the locked parts ot' the .garment from various sides without necessity of the operator moving about the form. It is v*further evident that the forms may be shaped to permit ironing of garments of different shapes, each diHerent shape ot garment requiring a. corresponding shape'of form. It is to be noted that, to permit the'member 7 to rotate, the stem portion '70 should be provided at the bottom with a union coupling below which is connectedthe steam lines. This permits rotation of 4the-` form without disturbing the-steam lines.`

From the Jforegoing description it is evident that'the device is comparatively simple in construction providing 'means whereby garments.v ot' various types maybe readily ironed with much less labor'than vwith the usual hand methodsheretotore employed and therefore"reducing the expense involved in the ironing of a garment.' v

Having thus fullvl described my invention, its utility and mode of operation. what I claim and desireV to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is- 1. -In a garment shaping machine, a base. a form revolubly supported on the base, said form comprising two similar hollow vparts hinged together` on which the garment isV est adapted to be stretched,nieans for holding" sleeves of the garment, means for stretching the garment on the form, and means for mtroducing steam into the said hollow parts.

3. In a garment shaping machine, a sup port, a form revolubly mounted thereon and composed of two similar hollow parts hinged together-each part having an outwardly and upwardly extending hollow portion for the sleeves of the garment, the hinged parts being adapted to be turned respectively outwardly to bring the sleeve portions in adjacent relation permitting introduction of the garment thereon and the turning of the forms respectively in the reverse direction stretching the garment onto the form, and means for introducing steam into the said parts.

4;. In a garment shaping machine, ,a base, a form composed of two similar hollow parts hinged together each having an outwardly extending hollow sleeve portion for a garment, the said parts being revolubly sup-` ported relative to the base, permitting theV form parts to be turned back to back to receive a garment and to be turned in the reverse direction to stretch the garment thereon, means carried by each part of the form 'for engaging the respective free edge of the garment to tightly hold the same in contact therewith, and means for introducing steam into said hollow parts.

5. In a garment shaping machine, a support, a form revolubly mounted thereon, the form being composed of two similar members eXteriorly shaped to correspond to the shape of substantailly one-half of the garment, the parts being hinged together vertically permitting the same to be turned back to back for positioning the garment thereon and the turning'of the parts in the reverse direction stretching the garment yon the form, and means for heating the said parts.

6i. In a garment shaping machine, a base, a form revolubly mounted thereon and composed of two similar half parts together having an exterior shape corresponding to that of the garment, said parts being pivotally connected together permitting the same to be turned back to back for positioning the garment thereon and the turning of the parts together stretching the said garment on the two parts, means for locking the parts with the garment in the stretched relation thereon, and means for heating the said parts.

7 In a garment shaping machine, a form composed of two'similar parts hinged together each having a portion extending outwardly'thereof to receive the sleeve of the garment, the said parts when turned outwardly permitting the introductionof the garment thereonto and the drawing of the same together stretching the garment, a spring member in each sleeve portion adapted to draw the sleeve tautly thereon, means for locking the parts with the garment stretched thereon, and aspring-pressed roller member mounted at the free edge of each part adapted to be turned to engage theV independent revolution of the stem, a gar-V ment form consisting of ytwo hollow half forms hinged together, said forms beingcar* ried by the revoluble member, a steam line connected with. the hollow revoluble member, each half form being independently in communication with the said hollow member, means for holding the forms from revolution on the base, said forms being adapted to be turned back to back for positioning of a garment thereon and reversely turned to stretch the same, and means-for locking the hinged parts when turned to stretch the garment. f

9. A garment shaping machine comprising a form composed of two similar hollow half parts hinged together at one edge, the forms corresponding to the shape of the garment and having hollow portions for the sleeves extending outwardly therefrom, the forms being placed with the neck portion at the bottom and the skirt portion at the top, the hinging of the forms permitting the turning of the same baclr'to back about a vertical axis to permit the positioning of the garment thereon and reversely turned to stretch the garment across the back, the free edges of the garment extending toward the `forward edges of each half form respectively, Y

base, a hollow form revolubly Vmounted thereon having an exterior surface corresponding substantially to that of the garment and being provided with hollow arm portions, the form extending practically in vertical position with the neck portion downward, means for stretching the garment on the form to hold it closely in contact therewith, and means for introducing steam into the form through said base.

ll. A garment shaping machine comprising a revoluble form consisting of two similar hollow half parts, releasable means for locking the form from rotation, said half parts being hinged together o n a vertical axis, means for admitting steam to both said parts vthrough the hinge connection, and

8. A garment shaping machinecornpristurning the Jform, a releasable looking device for holding the forms in position when vthe garment is stretched thereon, and mea-ns for grasping the free edges of the garment to stretch and hoid the same closely in Contact with the form.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

` WILLIAM M. oHAoE. 

